Lamp conversion unit

ABSTRACT

A unit for converting a bottle or similar receptacle having a neck into a lamp. The basic member of the unit consists of an integral one-piece molded plastic device having a central hollow core topped by a flat annular plate. A plurality of fins extend outwardly from the central core, the fins tapering down from the plate toward the bottom of the core. This member may be twisted into a bottle neck, the fins collapsing sufficiently to allow the entry. Also, the fins frictionally engage the neck to hold the member in place. A short hollow rod is passed through the core, the inner end having a hex nut threaded thereon. At the upper end, a flat washer plate covers the core plate and a bulb socket and switch is mounted on the exposed end of the rod to hold the assembly together.

United States atent 1 1 1111 3,729,628

Schwartz [45] Apr. 24, 1973 1 LAMP CONVERSION UNIT 615,878 5/1926 France ..240/52.6

[ Inventor: Frederic W. Schwartz, Providence, 433,678 4/1912 France ..240/52.6

Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr. [73] Assignee: Cable Electric Products, Inc., Attorney-Max rtz Providence, RI.

[221 Filed: Feb. 17, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 227,163

[57] ABSTRACT A unit for converting a bottle or similar receptacle having a neck into a lamp. The basic member of the unit consists of an integral one-piece molded plastic 52 us. c1. ..240/52.6, 85/70 240/2 LC dcvi having a Central hollow core topped by 248/27, annular plate. A plurality of fins extend outwardly [51] In F21, 21/00 from the central core, the fins tapering down from the [58] Field of Search 240/2 LC 10 R 52 R plate toward the bottom of the core. This member may be twisted into a bottle neck, the fins collapsing 240/526 81 85 248/27 sufficiently to allow the entry. Also, the fins fric- 85/70 tionally engage the neck to hold the member in place.

A short hollow rod is passed through the core, the

[56] References Clted inner end having a hex nut threaded thereon. At the UNITED STATES PATENTS upper end, a flat washer plate covers the core plate and a bulb socket and switch is mounted on the ex- 2,724,048 I 1/1 D Sherbininm ..240/52.6 posed end of the rod to hold the assembly together. 3,400,627 9/1968 Raynovich, Jr ..85/7() 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 675,565 7/1952 Great Britain ..240/52.6

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has become conventional to convert wine or other fancy bottles into attractive lamps. The conversion unit usually comprises a short rod on which the lamp switch and socket is mounted. A cork is squeezed into the bottle neck and the rod is mounted in the cork by piercing or by first cutting a hole in the cork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION will alsoact as frictional retaininers for the device. The

supporting rod for the lamp socket and switch can then be passed through this core and suitably locked in place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, I

FIG. 1 is an enlarged vertical section ofa bottle neck having a unit of the present invention therein;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the base member;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base member;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the base member; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of the base member and the attached unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The conversion unit may be used with almost any type of article having a suitable neck. It is usually applied to a fancy bottle or similar container. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the bottle neck is converted to a lamp having a socket and switch of conventional form 11 by mounting on the unit 12. The base of the unit 12 comprises an integral one-piece molded plastic member having a flat annular top plate 13. Depending from the plate 13 is a central core having a plurality of laterally extending fins 14. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the fins 14 have top edges extending to almost the perimeter of the plate 13 and then taper downwardly to a comparatively narrow bottom end. In molding, it is essential that the tops of the fins 14 be free. Therefore, the plate 13 is provided with a plurality of radially extending slots 15, one over each fin 14, to permit free movement of each fin 14 independantly of the plate 13.

Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 3, the central core portion 16, which extends down from the plate 13, is provided with an opening 17 vertically axially thereof. At the top, the opening 17 is surrounded by a shoulder 18 below the top surface of the plate 13. At the bottom end, the opening 17 is surrounded by a hexagonal recess 19.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, a rod 20 is passed through the opening 16, the rod 23 havin u per and lower threads. A hex nut 21 is threaded on o e lower end of the rod 20 and is of a size to fit into the recess 19. A flat annular washer plate 22 is fitted over the plate portion 13. The plate 22 has a central opening of sufficient diameter to allow entry of the rod 20. Note that the rod 20 is long enough to extend above the surface of the plate 22 for a short distance. The conventional lamp socket is provided with an internally threaded bottom collar 23 which is threaded over the top of the rod 20. As the collar 23 is rotated, the rod 20 is pulled upwardly until the hex nut 21 seats in the recess 19. The shape of the recess now inhibits further turning movement of the hex nut and rod and allows the collar 23 to be tightened in place. This actually locks the unit into an easily handled rigid structure.

Now, the bottles may vary in the internal diameter of their necks. However, the tapered fin construction will take care of most variations in bottle diameters. The tapered bottom end is inserted into the bottle neck 10 and pushed downwardly with a twisting motion. This causes the fins 14 to collapse sufficiently to allow the unit to move down into the neck. But the resiliency of the fins adds a frictional retaining force to the unit to keep it in place.

The unit is simple and easy to assemble, and once assembled, is easily mounted in the bottle neck. While a cork has a fixed diameter, the base of the unit of the present invention will fit bottles of varying diameters due to the fin construction. Furthermore, the cork must be pierced, whereas the unit of the present invention requires only a minimum of assembly. The device is readily molded and economical to produce. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A lamp conversion unit comprising a lamp socket, a supporting rod for said socket, and means for retaining said rod in vertical position in the neck of a bottle, said means being adjustable to different bottle neck diameters, said means comprising an integral one-piece molded plastic base having a flat annular top and a central depending portion, said central portion having a vertical axial opening therethrough, said rod extending through said opening, a plurality of spaced fins extending integrally outwardly from said central portion, said fins tapering down from a wide top to a narrow bottom, whereby the collapsing action of said fins will adjust said base in the neck of a bottle, said flat annular top of said base having a plurality of radial slots, each slot above one of said fins to permit free movement of said fins.

2. A conversion unit as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of said central depending portion is provided with a hexagonal recess, the bottom end of said rod having a hex nut threadedly mounted thereon, said nut nesting in said recess.

3. A conversion unit as in claim 1, wherein a flat annular washer-plate is positioned between the top of said base and said socket, said washer-plate covering said top of said base. 

1. A lamp conversion unit comprising a lamp socket, a supporting rod for said socket, and means for retaining said rod in vertical position in the neck of a bottle, said means being adjustable to different bottle neck diameters, said means comprising an integral one-piece molded plastic base having a flat annular top and a central depending portion, said central portion having a vertical axial opening therethrough, said rod extending through said opening, a plurality of spaced fins extending integrally outwardly from said central portion, said fins tapering down from a wide top to a narrow bottom, whereby the collapsing action of said fins will adjust said base in the neck of a bottle, said flat annular top of said base having a plurality of radial slots, each slot above one of said fins to permit free movement of said fins.
 2. A conversion unit as in claim 1, wherein the bottom end of said central depending portion is provided with a hexagonal recess, the bottom end of said rod having a hex nut threadedly mounted thereon, said nut nesting in said recess.
 3. A conversion unit as in claim 1, wherein a flat annular washer-plate is positioned between the top of said base and said socket, said washer-plate covering said top of said base. 